Cable-stayed bridge construction analysis

Tutorial
Final and Forward Construction Stage Analysis

for a PC Cable-Stayed Bridge (Part I)
Civil
ADVANCED APPLICATIONS
Table of Contents
Summary .....................................................................................................................................................1
Initial cable pretension analysis considering construction stages .........................................................2
Bridge dimensions. ...............................................................................................................................5
Loading .................................................................................................................................................6
Work Environment Setting .........................................................................................................................7
Definition of Properties (Attributes) ..........................................................................................................8
Definition of Material Properties ............................................................................................................8
Definition of Section Properties.............................................................................................................9

Modeling of Structure ............................................................................................................................... 11
Input Nodes......................................................................................................................................... 11
Input Elements ....................................................................................................................................12

Input Boundary Conditions......................................................................................................................13
Input Supports.....................................................................................................................................13
Input Beam End Offsets ......................................................................................................................13
Rigid body connection.........................................................................................................................14
Modeling Bridge Supports...................................................................................................................15

Input Loads................................................................................................................................................16
Define Loading Conditions ..................................................................................................................16
Input Self Weight.................................................................................................................................17
Additional Dead Load..........................................................................................................................17
Self weight of Cross Beams ................................................................................................................17
Input Pretension Loads .......................................................................................................................18

Perform Structural Analysis.....................................................................................................................19
Calculate Initial Pretension ......................................................................................................................20
Create Load Combinations .................................................................................................................20
Calculate Unknown Load Factors .......................................................................................................21

Review Analysis Results ..........................................................................................................................27
Review deformed shape. ....................................................................................................................27
Review Member Forces ......................................................................................................................28

Final and Forward Construction Stage Analysis for a PC cable-stayed bridge (Part I)
Summary
Cable-stayed bridges are structural systems effectively composed of cables, main
girders and towers. This bridge type has a beautiful appearance and easily blends in
with the surrounding environment due to the fact that various structural systems can
be created by changing the tower shapes and cable arrangements.
Cable-stayed bridges are of a bridge type where inclined cables transfer member
forces induced in the girder. High compression is induced in the tower and main girder
due to the structural system. Considering the above features, PC cable-stayed bridges
using Prestressed Concrete materials for the main girders have the following
advantages:
• High buckling resistance compared to steel cable-stayed bridges due to high

stiffness of the towers and main girders
• High wind and earthquake resistance compared to steel cable-stayed bridges
due to heavier weights, higher stiffness and higher damping ratio
• Concrete cable-stayed bridges are better than steel cable-stayed bridges in
terms of serviceability as the stiffness of main girders is large, and thus the
deflection due to live loads is relatively small (resulting in good control of
noise/vibration).
• Low cost and easy maintenance compared to steel cable-stayed bridges
• Efficient constructability because it essentially consists of cantilevers, and can
be built by constructing out from the towers.
• Economical because the minimized girder depths allow more space under the
bridges and this type of bridges allows shorter approach length.
1
Figure 1. Cable-stayed Bridge
Initial cable pretension analysis considering construction

stages
The dominant issue of the design and construction of a cable-stayed bridge is to

compute and achieve the initial equilibrium configuration at the completed state. The
initial equilibrium configuration of a cable-stayed bridge is the equilibrium position due
to dead load and tension forces in the stay cables. It is called “initial cable pretension
analysis” to optimize the cable pretensions in order to improve section forces in the
main girders and towers and support reactions in the bridge.
In order to guide the construction of each erection stage, backward analysis is

commonly adopted, in which the bridge is disassembled stage by stage from the
completed state until just before the first pairs of cables are jacked. The forward
analysis starting from any construction stage will predict the states in the successive
stages by simulating the actual construction procedures.
This tutorial uses an example of a non-symmetrical cable-stayed bridge. Ideally in

backward stage analysis, at key segment closure, shear force and bending moment
should be close to 0. However, if backward analysis is applied in this case, non-zero
shear force and bending moment will occur due to non-symmetry. Thus, it is not
desirable to apply backward stage analysis in this case. In addition, with backward
stage analysis, time dependent material effects of concrete cannot be considered.
Errors due to concrete construction with the time effect can be eliminated by forward
iteration analysis. Sequential tensioning and erection sequence, as shown in Figure 2,
cannot be represented by backward analysis.
On the other hand, forward stage analysis follows the real erection sequence. It takes
more time for the designer as he/she has to conduct trial-and-error analysis to
2
determine the limiting member forces due to cable tension up to a certain range.
In this tutorial, forward stage analysis is used. In the forward stage analysis, it is
necessary to know the cable pretensions at each construction stage, which produce
the initial equilibrium configuration at the completed state due to dead load.
Figure 3 shows the sequence for initial cable pretension analysis while considering
construction stages.
3
a) girder installation b) cable installation and 1st tensioning
c) slab casting d) slab curing and 2nd tensioning
Figure 2. Construction Stage Cycle
Initial cable pretension

analysis starts
Final stage
analysis Construction
stage analysis
considering
camber
Adjust cable
Assign constraints pretension
satisfying initial
equilibrium state
Compare final cable
tension and design
cable tension
Construction
stage analysis
Adjust cable
pretension
Verify cable tension
at each stage
Verify member
forces
Verify member forces at

each stage
Specify design cable
tension
Compare final Adjust camber for

displacement and tower and PC girder
Generate camber for camber
tower and PC girder
Adjust design cable Verify member Initial cable pretension

tension forces analysis ends
Figure 3. Flow chart for the initial cable pretension analysis considering
construction stages
4
Bridge dimensions
This tutorial has been based on a real project of a PC cable-stayed bridge, and has
been simplified since it will still suffice for training purposes. We will learn how to
calculate the initial forces in the cables from this tutorial. Before performing initial cable
pretension analysis with Construction Stages, initial cable forces due to the dead load
at the final stage should be first calculated.
The figures and loadings for the bridge are as follows:
Bridge type: PC cable-stayed bridge

Bridge length: L = 46.5+113.5+260.0+100.0 = 520.0 m
2 sides of cables, diamond shape tower
Main girder: Beam and Slab type concrete sections
Tower: concrete sections
Number of cables: 52×2 sides = 104
Install 4 Key blocks in spans 1, 2, 3 & 4
Place 2 elastic bearings on PY1 & PY2
Figure 4. General Layout of Bridge Structure
5
Loading
Self Weight
Automatically calculated by the program
▶ Superimposed dead load.
Unit weight (kN/m) Remarks

Pavement 35.75 2.3 x 0.08 x 19.43
Railing 7.28 -
Parapet 14.76 -
Sum 57.75
Self weight of cross beams.
Enter the weight of cross beams, which were excluded in the modeling, using Nodal
Loads.
6
Work Environment Setting
To perform the analysis of a PC cable-stayed bridge, open a new file ( New

Project) and save it ( Save) under the name ‘PC.mcb’.
Assign ‘kN’ for Force (Mass) unit and ‘m’ for Length unit. This unit system can be
changed at any time during the modeling process as desired by the user.
The Status Bar is

File / New Project
located at the bottom File / Save (PC)
of the screen and the
units can be changed
Tools / Unit System
by clicking on it Length > m ; Force > kN ↵
( , ).
Figure 5. Assign Unit System
7
Definition of Properties (Attributes)
Definition of Material Properties
Input material properties of cables and bridge deck in the Material Data dialog box.
[Unit : kN, m]
Type of Modulus of Poisson’s Thermal Weight
ID Name Standard
Design Elasticity Ratio Coefficient Density
1 Main Concrete None 2.7389e7 0.167 1.0e-5 24.52
2 Sub Concrete None 2.6063e7 0.167 1.0e-5 24.52
3 Cable Steel None 2.0594e8 0.3 1.2e-5 76.98
Model / Properties / Material
Figure 6. Material Property Input Dialog Box
8
Definition of Section Properties
With Section Property Calculator (SPC), section properties for an irregular shape can
be easily obtained and even the shape can be displayed. Import the *.sec file drawn in
SPC to define the main girder sections (101, 102 and 103).
Model / Properties / Section

PSC tab > General Section
Section ID (101) ; Name (D_center)
Click on button and invoke “D_center.sec”.
Referring to the guide diagram, enter the design parameters in the “Param. for Design
Input” cell. These parameters are used for section capacity check, but not used for
analysis. For sections 102 and 103, enter the same parameters.
Figure 7. Input dimensions for PC box section
9
y PC Sections
ID Type Sub Type Name *.sec File Name Remarks
101 PSC PSC-Value D_center D_center.sec Center part
102 PSC PSC-Value D_spt D_suppot.sec Support part
103 PSC PSC-Value D_py D_py.sec Tower part
y Tower Sections
ID Type Name ID Type Name
201 Value PY1_head 211 Value PY2_head
202 Value PY1_top 212 Value PY2_top
203 Value PY1_down 213 Value PY2_down
204 DB/User PY1_cross 214 DB/User PY2_cross
205 DB/User PY1_footing 215 DB/User PY2_footing
y Pier Sections
Input 301~304 in Section ID in DB/User Type for modeling the pier sections.
y Cable Sections
401~409 sections to be used for cables are defined by Value Type. Import *.sec file to
define the main girder sections. To define other sections, copy the data on the section
tab of Struc.xls file and paste it into the section table. Classify Section Types into each
tab as the type of data and the number of data are different from Section Type to
Section Type.
Model / Properties / Section Table

DB/User tab ; Value tab
Figure 8. Section Table Input
10
Modeling of Structure
Input Nodes
Input node data in Struc.xls file and copy the node information from the file into the
Node Tables.
Model / Nodes / Node Tables
To copy and paste Node Data into Node Table, activate the Node Column as shown
below. Right-click over the Node column and select “Enable Edit”. Now the Node
column becomes enabled.
Copy the Node Data from the MS-Excel file and input it in the Table.
Figure 9. Node Information and Input Table
11
Input Elements
Likewise, enable the Element No. Column for pasting the data into the table. Copy the
Element Data from Excel File and paste it into the table.
Model / Nodes / Element Tables
y Main girders
Main girder numbers are 101 ~ 317 from the left.
101
317
y Cable
Cable numbers are 1001 ~ 1032, 2001 ~ 2052 from the left. Numbers in parenthesis
indicate the rear cables.
1001(2001) 1032(2032)
1033(2033) 1052(2052)
y Tower and Pier.
Main tower Small tower Pier
501to561 601to656 701to719
12
Input Boundary Conditions
Input Supports
Input the supports as shown in the figure below.
Model / Boundary / Supports
Select Single (Node: 389, 390, 397, 398, 2311, 2780, 3106)
Support Type>Dx (on), Dy (on), Dz(on), Rx (on), Ry (on), Rz(on) ↵
Figure 10. Input Supports
Input Beam End Offsets

Input the width of Beam End Offset at the pier step.
Model / Boundary / Beam End Offset
[Unit: m]
Elem Type RGDXi RGDYi RGDZi RGDXj RGDYj RGDZj
710 Global 0.0 1.72 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
715 Global 0 0 0 0 -1.72 0
13
Rigid body connection
Enter rigid body connections between the main girders and cable anchorages, and
between the towers and cable anchorages. Copy the data on Rigid Link tab of
Struc.xls and paste it into Rigid Link Table.
Model / Boundary / Rigid Link Table
Input rigid body connections at the following locations.
y PC girders, towers and cable anchorages
Tower and cable anchorage sockets
PC girders and cable anchorage sockets
14
Modeling Bridge Supports
Input Elastic Links at bridge supports connecting the bridge superstructure to the
substructure.
Model / Boundary / Elastic Link
Pot Support Elastic Support Wind Shoe
Figure 11. Locations for Installing Bridge Supports
Input the data for elastic links at the bridge supports as shown in the table below:
[Unit: kN, m]
No. Node1 Node2 Type SDx SDy SDz Remarks
1 390 392 GEN 1E+11 1E+11 0 Pot support
3 567 394 GEN 25230100 20670 20670 Elastic support
9 1009 168 GEN 0 7808220 0 Wind Shoe
10 1010 275 GEN 0 7808220 0 Wind Shoe
15
Input Loads
Define Loading Conditions

The loading conditions used in the analysis are defined.
Redraw
Load / Static Load Cases

Name (Self) ; Type>Dead Load (D) ↵
Name (2nd Dead) ; Type>Dead Load (D) ↵
Name (Cross W’t) ; Type>Dead Load (D) ↵
Name (Pre01) ; Type>Prestress (PS) ↵
Figure 12. Define Load Case Dialog Box
16
Input Self Weight

Input the self weight as follows.
Load / Self Weight

Load Case Name>Self
Load Group Name>Self
Self Weight Factor>Z (-1) ↵
Superimposed Dead Load

Then apply the 2nd dead load by inputting it as Element Beam Load.
Load / Element Beam Loads
101to317 ↵
Load Case Name>2nd Dead
Load Group Name>2nd Dead
Load Type>Uniform Loads
Value
Relative ; x1(0) ; x2 (1) ; w (-56.633)
Figure 13. Apply 2nd Dead Load
Self weight of Cross Beams
Enter the weight of cross beams, which was excluded from the modeling, using nodal
loads. Copy the loading information from the Load tab in Struc.xls and paste it into
Nodal Load Table.
Load / Load Tables / Nodal Loads
17
Input Pretension Loads
Since this cable-stayed bridge has two sides, which are transversely symmetrical,
identical initial pretensions in the cables on both sides will be introduced symmetrically
to the bridge center. Therefore, we will input identical loading conditions to the cable
pairs that form the transverse symmetry.
Load / Prestress Loads / Pretension Loads
Select Intersect (Elements: 1001, 2001)

Load Case Name > Pre01; Load Group Name > Default
Options > Add; Pretension Load ( 1 ) ↵
Load Case Name > Pre02; Load Group Name > Default

Load Case Name > Pre 52; Load Group Name > Default
Figure 14. Input Pretension Loads
18
Perform Structural Analysis
After completing all the processes for modeling and load input, structural analysis is
performed.
Analysis / Perform Analysis
19
Calculate Initial Pretensions
Create Load Combinations
Create a load combination from the 52 unit pretension load cases introduced to each
cable, self weight load case, superimposed dead load case and cross beam self
weight load case.
Results / Combinations
Load Combination List > Name> LCB1
LoadCase > Self(ST) ; Factor (1.0)
LoadCase > 2nd Dead(ST) ; Factor (1.0)
LoadCase > Cross W’t(ST) ; Factor (1.0)
LoadCase > Pre01(ST) ; Factor (1.0)
…
LoadCase > Pre16(ST) ; Factor (250)
LoadCase > Pre17(ST) ; Factor (250)
…
LoadCase > Pre52(ST) ; Factor (1.0) ↵
Figure 15. Input Load Combination
20
Calculate Unknown Load Factors
Calculate unknown load factors that satisfy the boundary conditions by the Unknown
Load Factor function for LCB, which was generated through load combination. The
constraints are specified to limit the deflections of the tower and the main girders.
Specify the load condition, constraints and method of forming the object function in
Unknown Load Factor. First, we define the cable unit loading conditions as unknown
loads.
Results / Unknown Load Factor

Unknown Load Factor Group >
Item Name (Unknown) ; Load Comb > LCB
Object function type > Square ; Sign of unknowns > Both
LCase > Pre01 (on)
…
LCase > Pre15 (on)
LCase > Pre18 (on)
…
LCase > Pre52 (on)
Figure 16. Unknown Load Factors
21
Specify the constraint conditions, which restrict the displacements of the tower and the
main girders by using the Constraints function.
The boundary conditions

for the Unknown Load
Factors can also be applied
through the MCT Command
Shell.
Figure 17. Input Constraint Conditions
Refer to the table below for inputting the constraint conditions for calculating the
unknown load factors.
22
[Unit: m]
No Node1 Node2 Type SDx SDy SDz
py101 DISP 554 RY Inequality 1.00E-06 -1.00E-06
py201 DISP 645 RY Inequality 1.00E-06 -1.00E-06
sp01 DISP 103 DZ Inequality -0.001 0.001
sp02 DISP 107 DZ Inequality 0.001 -0.001
sp14 DISP 155 DZ Inequality 0 -0.001
23

Sp51 DISP 312 DZ Inequality 0.001 -0.001
Refer to the portion on
the optimization technique We now check the constraints used to calculate the cable initial pretensions and unknown
of unknown loads for an
load factors in Unknown Load Factor Result.
explanation on calculation
of Unknown Load Factors
given in “Analysis for Civil
Structures”.
Unknown Load Factor Group >
24
Figure 18 shows the analysis results for calculating the Unknown Load Factors.
Make Load Combination

uses the Unknown Load
Factors which are
automatically created for
the Load Combination.
Generate the Influence

Matrix as a MS-Excel File
from the calculation results
of Unknown Load Factors.
Figure 18. Unknown Load Factor Calculation Results
We will now check whether the calculation results satisfy the constraints by auto-
generating a new load combination using the unknown load factors in the Make Load
Combination function.
Figure 19. Automatic generation of “ULF” load combination

using the unknown load factors
25
Confirm the results of the load combination that is automatically generated using the
unknown load factors.
Results / Combinations
Figure 20. Automatic Generation of “ULF” Load Combination

that uses the Unknown Load Factors
26
Review Analysis Results
Review deformed shape.
Review the deformed shape for the “ULF” load combination calculated from the initial
pre-tensions using the Unknown Load Factors.
Result / Deformations / Deformed Shape

Load Cases / Combinations > CB:ULF
Components > DZ
Type of Display > Undeformed (on) ; Legend (on)
Figure 21. Deformed Shape Results
27
Review Member Forces

Review the member forces for the “ULF” load combination.
Result / Force / Beam Diagram

Load Cases / Combinations > CB:ULF
Components > DXYZ
Type of Display > Undeformed (on) ; Legend (on)
Figure 22. Review Member Forces
28

Cable-stayed bridge construction analysis

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Tutorial

Final and Forward Construction Stage Analysis

Bridge dimensions. ...............................................................................................................................5

Definition of Section Properties.............................................................................................................9

Input Elements ....................................................................................................................................12

Input Beam End Offsets ......................................................................................................................13

Rigid body connection.........................................................................................................................14

Modeling Bridge Supports...................................................................................................................15

Additional Dead Load..........................................................................................................................17

Self weight of Cross Beams ................................................................................................................17

Input Pretension Loads .......................................................................................................................18

Calculate Unknown Load Factors .......................................................................................................21

Review Member Forces ......................................................................................................................28

• High buckling resistance compared to steel cable-stayed bridges due to high

Figure 1. Cable-stayed Bridge

Initial cable pretension analysis considering construction

The dominant issue of the design and construction of a cable-stayed bridge is to

In order to guide the construction of each erection stage, backward analysis is

This tutorial uses an example of a non-symmetrical cable-stayed bridge. Ideally in

a) girder installation b) cable installation and 1st tensioning

c) slab casting d) slab curing and 2nd tensioning

Figure 2. Construction Stage Cycle

Initial cable pretension

Verify member forces at

Compare final Adjust camber for

Adjust design cable Verify member Initial cable pretension

The figures and loadings for the bridge are as follows:

Bridge type: PC cable-stayed bridge

Figure 4. General Layout of Bridge Structure

Automatically calculated by the program

▶ Superimposed dead load.

Unit weight (kN/m) Remarks

Self weight of cross beams.

Work Environment Setting

To perform the analysis of a PC cable-stayed bridge, open a new file ( New

 The Status Bar is

Figure 5. Assign Unit System

Definition of Properties (Attributes)

Definition of Material Properties

2 Sub Concrete None 2.6063e7 0.167 1.0e-5 24.52

3 Cable Steel None 2.0594e8 0.3 1.2e-5 76.98

Model / Properties / Material

Figure 6. Material Property Input Dialog Box

Definition of Section Properties

Model / Properties / Section

Figure 7. Input dimensions for PC box section

Model / Properties / Section Table

Figure 8. Section Table Input

Model / Nodes / Node Tables

Figure 9. Node Information and Input Table

Model / Nodes / Element Tables

y Tower and Pier.

Main tower Small tower Pier

501to561 601to656 701to719

Input Boundary Conditions

Model / Boundary / Supports

Figure 10. Input Supports

Input Beam End Offsets

Model / Boundary / Beam End Offset

Rigid body connection

Model / Boundary / Rigid Link Table

Input rigid body connections at the following locations.

The Status Bar is

The boundary conditions

Make Load Combination

Generate the Influence